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June 2012 News

Two new categories for EDF Energy Media Awards

Download the entry form for London and South of England awards

Jobs go as publisher outsources ad creation teams to India

Four departments across UK affected by announcement

Axed editor McLellan bounces back in Tory comms role

Political beat for former Scotsman chief

Regional daily to move into new city centre offices

Move will put paper ‘back at heart of city’

New Scotsman editor to stay at helm of Sunday title

Journalist will edit both newspapers

Journalism students win cash prizes for shorthand

100pc accuracy rewarded by NCTJ

Publisher teams up with social media network

A regional publisher has joined forces with a social media network in a move which aims to help connect local communities. Archant has set up a partnership with streetlife.com, which will be extended across the regional publisher’s portfolio so it can reach

Four editor roles merged into two at JP titles

Two editors leave business after shake-up

Trinity Mirror extends reach of Scottish Metro

Free paper will be distributed in Aberdeen for the first time

Postman turns copies of regional daily into handbags

New use found for old newspapers

Post gets its man as president gives exclusive interview

Persistence pays off for expat weekly

Bel Tel website is named industry’s best

All the winners from last night’s Online Media awards

Scottish Sunday: ‘We knew about Brown son’s illness’

Title says it knew about cystic fibrosis diagnosis weeks before The Sun

Dyson at Large: Central subbing that works

HTFP blogger waxes lyrical about ‘Zebedee’

Pickles in fresh clampdown on town hall Pravdas

Councils continuing to flout voluntary code

Daily which axed Saturday edition sees Friday sales rise

West country newspapers report circulation boost

Tips on choosing a journalism course

Emma Clark, former marketing and communications manager for the National Council for the Training of Journalists, offers her advice on choosing between journalism courses.
Recently I've attended numerous careers fairs around the country, meeting students of all ages keen to break into journalism - whether that be in newspapers, television, radio or magazines. And of course, all students want to know which journalism course they should go on and whether they need NCTJ qualifications.

A quick look at the trainee job ads on HTFP demonstrates the importance of gaining the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. Many adverts require candidates to have, or be awaiting results for, their NCTJ Diploma.

Trying to break into the industry without it makes a tough task almost impossible. With the rise in tuition fees, choosing the right journalism course is even more important than ever and students need to be sure they are learning the vocational skills required by employers, enabling them to hit the ground running when they enter the newsroom.

Employers know that an NCTJ-trained applicant will be able to find and construct stories, understand media law and ethics and be able to take down an accurate shorthand note when required. And contrary to popular belief it is not just the regional press looking for these skills, but nationals, online and broadcast too. Recent Sky Sports News schemes, for example, have been looking for practical skills including a minimum of 100wpm shorthand.

Student journalists can complete their NCTJ training in a number of ways - FE colleges and independent centres offer the Diploma in Journalism as fast-track and academic year courses, while universities offer it as part of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications. All of these journalism courses lead to the same NCTJ qualifications and meet the same standard, allowing students to pick the one that's best for them.

It's no secret that the NCTJ has an exacting standard, and this applies not just to the qualifications but also to the course provider. All NCTJ-accredited courses have to work incredibly hard to meet the requirements in the same way that students have to work incredibly hard to achieve the gold standard. This ensures the NCTJ logo acts as a meaningful kitemark for quality journalism training.